Designation: C 617 98 (Reapproved 2003)
Standard Practice for
Capping Cylindrical Concrete Specimens1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C 617; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the Department of Defense.
1. Scope
1.1 This practice covers apparatus, materials, and proce-
dures for capping freshly molded concrete cylinders with neat
cement and hardened cylinders and drilled concrete cores with
high-strength gypsum plaster or sulfur mortar.
1.2 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded
as the standard. The SI equivalents of inch-pound units may be
approximate.
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. For specific
precaution statements see 4.3 and 6.2.3.1.
2. Referenced Documents
2.1 ASTM Standards: 2
C 109/C 109M Test Method for Compressive Strength of
Hydraulic Cement Mortars (Using 2-in. or 50-mm Cube
Specimens)
C 150 Specification for Portland Cement
C 472 Test Methods for Physical Testing of Gypsum, Gyp-
sum Plasters and Gypsum Concrete
C 595M Specification for Blended Hydraulic Cements
C 1231 Practice for Use of Unbonded Caps in Determina-
tion of Compressive Strength of Hardened Concrete Cyl-
inders
2.2 ANSI Standard:
B46.1 Standard for Surface Texture (Surface, Roughness,
Waviness and Lay)3
1
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C09 on Concrete
and Concrete Aggregates and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee C09.61 on
Testing for Strength.
Current edition approved August 10, 1998. Published December 1998. Originally
approved in 1968. Last previous edition approved in 1998 as C 617 98 (2003).
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
Standards volume information, refer to the standards Document Summary page on
the ASTM website.
3
Available from American Society of Mechanical Engineers, 345 E. 47th Street,
New York, NY 10017.
Copyright ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
1
3. Significance and Use
3.1 This practice describes procedures for providing plane
surfaces on the ends of freshly molded concrete cylinders,
hardened cylinders, or drilled concrete cores when the end
surfaces do not conform with the planeness and perpendicu-
larity requirements of applicable standards. Practice C 1231
describes alternative procedures using unbonded caps or pad
caps.
4. Capping Equipment
4.1 Capping PlatesNeat cement caps and high-strength
gypsum-plaster caps shall be formed against a glass plate at
least 14 in. (6 mm) thick, a machined metal plate at least 0.45
in. (11 mm) thick, or a polished plate of granite or diabase at
least 3 in. (76 mm) thick. Sulfur mortar caps shall be formed
against similar metal or stone plates except that the recessed
area which receives molten sulfur shall not be deeper than 12
in. (12 mm). In all cases, plates shall be at least 1 in. (25 mm)
greater in diameter than the test specimen and the working
surfaces shall not depart from a plane by more than 0.002 in.
(0.05 mm) in 6 in. (152 mm). The surface roughness of newly
finished metal plates shall not exceed that set forth in Table 4
of American National Standard B46.1, or 125 in. (3.2 m) for
any type of surface and direction of lay. The surface, when
new, shall be free of gouges, grooves, or indentations beyond
those caused by the finishing operation. Metal plates that have
been in use shall be free of gouges, grooves, and indentations
greater than 0.010 in. (0.25 mm) deep or greater than 0.05
in.2(32 mm2) in surface area.
NOTE 1A Rockwell hardness of 48 HRC is suggested for capping
plates of devices used to form sulfur mortar caps.
4.2 Alignment DevicesSuitable alignment devices, such
as guide bars or bulls-eye levels, shall be used in conjunction
with capping plates to ensure that no single cap will depart
from perpendicularity to the axis of a cylindrical specimen by
more than 0.5 (approximately equivalent to 18 in. in 12 in.
(3.2 mm in 305 mm)). The same requirement is applicable to
the relationship between the axis of the alignment device and
the surface of a capping plate when guide bars are used. In
addition, the location of each bar with respect to its plate must
 C 617 98 (2003)
be such that no cap will be off-centered on a test specimen by 5.1.2 Additionally, the qualification test report must include
more than 116 in. (2 mm). the compressive strength of 2 in. cubes of the material qualified
4.3 Melting Pots for Sulfur MortarsPots used for melting and of neat cement paste cubes, if used. Capping materials
sulfur mortars shall be equipped with automatic temperature conforming to these requirements is permitted to be used for
controls and shall be made of metal or lined with a material that cylinders with strengths up to 20 percent greater than the
is nonreactive with molten sulfur. concrete tested in these qualification tests. The manufacturer
4.3.1 Caution: Melting pots equipped with peripheral heat- must requalify lots of material manufactured on an annual basis
ing will ensure against accidents during reheating of cooled or whenever there is a change in the formulation or the raw
sulfur mixture that have a crusted-over surface. When using materials. The user of the material must retain a copy of the
melting pots not so equipped, a build-up of pressure under the qualification results, and the dates of manufacture of material
hardened surface crust on subsequent reheating may be qualified and of the material currently being used. See Table 2.
avoided by use of a metal rod that contacts the bottom of the 5.1.3 The compressive strength of capping materials shall
pot and projects above the surface of the fluid sulfur mix as it be determined by testing 2 in. cubes following the procedure
cools. The rod should be of sufficient size to conduct enough described in Test Method C 109. Except for sulfur mortars,
heat to the top on reheating to melt a ring around the rod first molding procedures shall be as in Test Method C 109 unless
and thus avoid the development of pressure. A large metal ladle other procedures are required to eliminate large entrapped air
can be substituted for the rod. voids. See Test Methods C 472 for alternative compaction
4.3.1.1 Use sulfur melting pots in a hood to exhaust the procedures. Cure cubes in the same environment for the same
fumes to outdoors. Heating over an open flame is dangerous length of time as the material used to cap specimens.
because the flash point of sulfur is approximately 440F 5.1.4 The strength of the capping material shall be deter-
(227C) and the mixture can ignite due to overheating. Should mined on receipt of a new lot and at intervals not exceeding
the mixture start to burn, covering will snuff out the flame. The three months. If a given lot of the capping material fails to
pot should be recharged with fresh material after the flame has conform to the strength requirements, it shall not be used, and
been extinguished. strength tests of the replacement material shall be made weekly
until four consecutive determinations conform to specification
5. Capping Materials requirements.
5.1 The strength of the capping material and the thickness of 5.2 Neat Hydraulic Cement Paste:
the caps shall conform to the requirements of Table 1. 5.2.1 Make qualification tests of the neat hydraulic cement
5.1.1 If sulfur mortar, high strength gypsum plaster and paste prior to use for capping to establish the effects of
other materials except neat cement paste are to be used to test water-cement ratio and age on compressive strength of 2 in. (50
concrete with a strength greater than 7000 psi (50 MPa), the mm) cubes.
manufacturer or the user of the material must provide docu- NOTE 2The cements used generally conform to Specification C 150
mentation: Types I, II or III; however, Specification C 595 blended cements, calcium
5.1.1.1 That the average strength of 15 cylinders capped aluminate or other hydraulic cements producing acceptable strength may
with the material is not less than 98 percent of the average be used.
strength of 15 companion cylinders capped with neat cement 5.2.2 Mix the neat cement paste to the desired consistency at
paste or 15 cylinders ground plane to within 0.002 in. (0.05 a water-cement ratio equal to or less than that required to
mm). produce the required strength, generally 2 to 4 h before the
5.1.1.2 That the standard deviation of the strengths of the paste is to be used (Note 3). Remix as necessary to maintain
capped cylinders is not greater than 1.57 times that of the acceptable consistency (Note 4). Some retempering of the
standard deviation of the reference cylinders. paste is acceptable if the required water-cement ratio is not
5.1.1.3 That the cap thickness requirements were met in the exceeded. Optimum consistency is generally produced at
qualification tests, and water-cement ratios of 0.32 to 0.36 by mass for Type I and
5.1.1.4 Of the hardening time of the caps used in the Type II cements and 0.35 to 0.39 by mass for Type III cements.
qualification tests.
NOTE 3Freshly mixed pastes tend to bleed, shrink, and make unac-
ceptable caps. The 2 to 4 h period is generally appropriate for portland
cements.
TABLE 1 Compressive Strength and Maximum Thickness of NOTE 4The required consistency of the paste is determined by the
Capping Materials
appearance of the cap when it is stripped. Fluid paste results in streaks in
Cylinder Maximum Maximum the cap. Stiff paste results in thick caps.
Compressive Average Thickness
Strength psi Minimum Strength of Capping Thickness Any Part 5.3 High-Strength Gypsum Cement Paste:
(MPa) Material of Cap of Cap
5.3.1 No fillers or extenders may be added to neat high-
500 to 7000 5000 psi (35 MPa) or cylinder 14 in. 516 in.
strength gypsum cement paste subsequent to the manufacture
psi (3.5 to strength whichever is greater (6 mm) (8 mm)
50 MPa) of the cement. (Note 5) Qualification tests shall be made to
greater than Compressive strength not less 18 in. 316 in. determine the effects of water-cement ratio and age on com-
7000 psi than (3 mm) (5 mm) pressive strength of 2 in. (50 mm) cubes. Retarders may be
(50 MPa) cylinder strength, except as
provided in 5.1.1 used to extend working time, but their effects on required
water-cement ratio and strength must be determined. (Note 6)

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 C 617 98 (2003)
TABLE 2 Sample Report of Qualification of a Capping Material

NOTEManufacturer: Testing Supplies Co.

Capping Material: Super Strong AAA-Sulfor mortar
Lot: 12a45 Date Tested: 11/3/98
Signed by:______________________________ (testing agency and responsible official)
Capping
Item Material Control Cylinders Ratio Criteria Pass/Fail
Concrete Cylinder Test Data
Type of capping material Sulfur Ground
Average Concrete Strength, psi [MPa] 11 061 (76.2) 11 008 (75.9) 1.005 >0.98 Xc Pass
Standard Deviation, psi [MPa] 376 (2.59) 250 (1.72) 1.504 #1.57 C Pass
Number of cylinders tested 15 15
Cap age when cylinders tested 7 days na
Capping Material Test Data
Average cap thickness, in. [mm] 0.11 (2.8) na
Compressive strength of 2 in. [50 mm] cubes, psi (MPa) 12 195 (91)
Cube age when tested. 7 days

Maximum concrete strength qualified, psi (MPa) 1.2 Av. Str = 13 273 (91.5)A
A
Nominally a specified strength of 11 000 psi (75 MPa) and perhaps somewhat higher.

NOTE 5Low-strength molding plaster, plaster of paris, or mixtures of
plaster of paris and portland cement are unsuitable for capping.
NOTE 6The water-gypsum cement ratio should be between 0.26 and
0.30. Use of low water-cement ratios and vigorous mixing will usually
permit development of 5000 psi (35 MPa) at ages of 1 or 2 h. Higher
water-gypsum cement ratios extend working time, but reduce strength.
5.3.2 Mix the neat gypsum cement paste at the desired
water-cement ratio and use it promptly since it sets rapidly.
5.4 Sulfur Mortar:
5.4.1 Proprietary or laboratory prepared sulfur mortars are
permitted if allowed to harden a minimum of 2 h before testing
concrete with strength less than 5000 psi (35 MPa). For
concrete strengths of 5000 psi or greater, sulfur mortar caps
must be allowed to harden at least 16 h before testing, unless
a shorter time has been shown to be suitable as specified in
5.1.1.
5.4.2 Determination of Compressive StrengthPrepare test
specimens using a cube mold and base plate conforming to the
requirements of Test Method C 109 and a metal cover plate
conforming in principle to the design shown in Fig. 1 (Note 7).
Bring the various parts of the apparatus to a temperature of 68
to 86F (20 to 30C), lightly coat the surfaces that will be in
contact with the sulfur mortar with mineral oil, and assemble
near the melting pot. Bring the temperature of the molten-
sulfur mortar in the pot within a range of 265 to 290F (129 to
143C), stir thoroughly, and begin casting cubes. Using a ladle,
or other suitable pouring device, quickly fill each of the three
compartments until the molten material reaches the top of the
filling hole. Allow sufficient time for maximum shrinkage, due
to cooling, and solidification to occur (approximately 15 min)
and refill each hole with molten material (Note 8). After

FIG. 1 Sketch of Cover Plate for 2-in. (50-mm) Cube Mold

3
 C 617 98 (2003)
solidification is complete, remove the cubes from the mold
without breaking off the knob formed by the filling hole in the
cover plate. Remove oil, sharp edges, and fins from the cubes
and check the planeness of the bearing surfaces in the manner
described in Test Method C 109. After storage at room tem-
perature to the desired age, but not less than 2 h, test cubes in
compression following the procedure described in Test Method
C 109, and calculate the compressive strength.
NOTE 7If desired, a plane phenol formaldehyde (bakelite) plate of
-in. (3-mm) thickness, provided with three appropriately spaced filling
18
holes, may be inserted between the cover plate and the mold to slow the
rate of cooling of test specimens.
NOTE 8The second filling helps to prevent the formation of a large
void or shrinkage pipe in the body of a cube. However, such defects may
occur no matter how much care is exercised, and it therefore is advisable
to inspect the interior of tested sulfur mortar cubes for homogeneity
whenever the strength values obtained are significantly lower than
anticipated.
6. Capping Procedures
6.1 Freshly Molded CylindersUse only neat portland
cement pastes (Note 9) to cap freshly molded cylinders. Make
caps as thin as practicable. Do not apply the neat paste to the
exposed end until the concrete has ceased settling in the molds,
generally from 2 to 4 h after molding. During the molding of
the cylinder, strike off the upper end even with or slightly
below the plane of the rim of the mold. Remove free water and
laitance from the top of the specimen immediately before
capping. Form the cap by placing a conical mound of paste on
the specimen and then gently pressing a freshly oiled capping
plate on the conical mound until the plate contacts the rim of
the mold. A very slight twisting motion may be required to
extrude excess paste and minimize air voids in the paste. The
capping plate must not rock during this operation. Carefully
cover the capping plate and mold with a double layer of damp
burlap and a polyethylene sheet to prevent drying. Removal of
the capping plate after hardening may be accomplished by
tapping the edge with a rawhide hammer in a direction parallel
to the plane of the cap.
NOTE 9Type I neat cement caps generally require at least 6 days to
develop acceptable strength and Type III neat cement caps at least 2 days.
Dry concrete specimens will absorb water from freshly mixed neat cement
paste and produce unsatisfactory caps. Neat cement paste caps will shrink
and crack on drying and, therefore, should be used only for specimens that
are to be moist cured continuously until time of testing.
NOTE 10High-strength gypsum caps soften and deteriorate on contact
with water and cannot be used on freshly mixed concrete or stored in a
moist room for more than very brief periods.
6.2 Hardened Concrete Specimens:
6.2.1 GeneralIf an end of a specimen has a coating or
deposit of oily or waxy materials that would interfere with the
bond of the cap, remove such coatings or deposits. If necessary,
the ends of a specimen may be slightly roughened with a steel
file or wire brush to produce proper adhesion of the cap. If
desired, capping plates may be coated with a thin layer of
mineral oil or grease to prevent the capping material from
adhering to the surface of the plate.
6.2.2 End ConditionThe distance of any point on an
uncapped end from a plane that passes through the highest
point of the end surface and is perpendicular to the axis of the
4
cylinder shall not exceed 18 in. (3 mm) (Note 11). If the end
exceeds this limit, the end of the cylinder shall be cut, lapped
or ground prior to capping.
NOTE 11This provision is to control the difference between the
thickest and thinnest parts of a cap. The distance may be checked using a
square with one blade touching the cylinder parallel to the cylinder axis
and the other blade touching the highest point on the end of the cylinder.
The distance between the blade of the square and the lowest point on the
end of the cylinder is measured.
6.2.3 Capping with High-Strength Gypsum Plaster or Neat
Cement PasteMix the paste as described in Section 2. Do not
exceed the water-cement ratio determined in qualification tests.
Form the caps as described in 6.1 using capping plates
described in 4.1 to achieve the alignment required in 4.2 (Note
12). Generally, capping plates may be removed within 45 min
with gypsum cement pastes and after 12 h with neat cement
paste, without visibly damaging the cap.
NOTE 12A number of methods have been used to obtain the desired
perpendicularity of the cap to the axis of the cylinder. A mound of paste
can be placed on a capping plate and the specimen lowered into it. A
bulls-eye level on the top of the cylinder helps obtain alignment. A mound
of paste can be placed on top of the cylinder and a capping plate pressed
into it, again using the bulls-eye level. A better system is to make a
half-height mold with a vertical split so that it can be slipped over the
hardened cylinder. A clamp is used to position the mold and to ensure the
required cap thickness. The mound of paste can then be placed either on
a capping plate or on top of the cylinder and pressed until the plate
contacts the mold. As Noted earlier, very stiff paste may require excessive
pressure and produce thick or defective caps.
6.2.4 Capping with Sulfur MortarPrepare sulfur mortar
for use by heating to about 265F (130C) as determined by an
all-metal thermometer inserted near the center of the mass.
Check the temperature at approximately hourly intervals dur-
ing capping. Empty the pot and recharge with fresh material at
intervals to ensure that the oldest material in the pot has not
been used more than five times. When capping concrete
cylinders with a compressive strength of 5000 psi (35 MPa) or
greater, it is not permitted to reuse compound recovered from
the capping operation or old caps. Fresh sulfur mortar must be
dry at the time it is placed in the pot as dampness may cause
foaming. Keep water away from molten sulfur mortar for the
same reason. The capping plate or device should be warmed
before use to slow the rate of hardening and permit the
production of thin caps. Oil the capping plate lightly and stir
the molten sulfur mortar immediately prior to pouring each
cap. The ends of moist cured specimens shall be dry enough at
the time of capping to preclude the formation of steam or foam
pockets under or in the cap larger than 14 in. (6 mm) in
diameter. Replace caps with steam pockets or voids larger than
14 in. (6 mm) (Note 13). To ensure that the cap is bonded to the
surface of the specimen, the end of the specimen shall not be
oiled prior to the application of the cap. When using a vertical
device, pour the mortar onto the surface of the capping plate,
lift the cylinder above the plate and contact the cylinder sides
with the guides, slide the cylinder down the guides onto the
capping plate while keeping constant contact with the align-
ment guides. The cylinder end should continue to rest on the
capping plate with cylinder sides in positive contact with the
 C 617 98 (2003)
alignment guides until the mortar has hardened. Use sufficient
material to cover the cylinder end after the sulfur mortar
solidifies.
NOTE 13Periodically, the sulfur mortar cap should be examined after
testing for air or steam pockets in the cap. Before testing, the cap can be
tapped with a coin or rubbed with a light metal implement to see if a
hollow sound can be detected. Caps with hollow areas should be removed
and recapped.
6.2.4.1 Caution: Hydrogen sulfide gas may be produced
during capping when sulfur mortar is contaminated with
organic materials such as paraffin or oil. The gas is colorless
and has a notoriously bad odor of rotten eggs; however, the
odor should not be relied upon as a warning sign, since the
sensitivity to the odor disappears rapidly on exposure. High
concentrations are lethal and less concentrated dosages may
produce nausea, stomach distress, dizziness, headache, or
irritation of the eyes. For this and other reasons, the melting pot
must be located under a hood with an exhaust fan and that
capping area must be well ventilated.
6.2.5 Daily Check:
6.2.5.1 During each days capping operation, check the
planeness of the caps prior to compression testing on at least
three specimens, selected at random, representing the start,
middle, and end of the run. Check planeness with a straight-
edge and feeler gage, making a minimum of three measure-
ments on different diameters to ensure that the surface of the
caps do not depart from a plane by more than 0.002 in. (0.05
mm). Check also for hollow areas (Note 13). Record the results
of these determinations in the quality control documentation
for the laboratory. If caps fail to satisfy the planeness require-
ment or have hollow areas, remove and reapply the caps.
6.2.5.2 During each days compressive strength testing op-
eration, check the thickness of caps on at least three specimens,
selected at random, from the start, middle, and end of that days
operation. After completing the compression test, recover at
least six pieces of capping material from the top of the selected
specimen (Note 14). The pieces shall be selected at random and
be distributed over the entire area of the cap. The selected
pieces shall have debonded completely from the concrete.
Measure and record the thicknesses of the pieces to the nearest
0.01 in. (0.2 mm) using a micrometer, caliper or other
thickness measurement device. Compare the average and
maximum thicknesses with the values in Table 1. Record the
results of the thickness determinations in the quality control
documentation for the laboratory.
NOTE 14Caps may be removed by using a hammer and sharp chisel.
Place the chisel tip at the bond line and nearly parallel with the plane of
the cap so as to create a wedging action when the chisel is struck with the
hammer. Recovery of the entire cap may be simplified by placing duct
tape over the cap prior to attempting its removal. The tape will keep the
pieces of capping material from being dispersed during removal and will
simplify the selection of pieces uniformly distributed over the cap area.
7. Protection of Specimens After Capping
7.1 Maintain moist cured specimens in a moist condition
between the completion of capping and the time of testing by
returning them to moist storage or wrapping them with a
double layer of wet burlap. Do not store specimens with
gypsum plaster caps immersed in water or for more than 4 h in
a moist room. Protect plaster caps from dripping water.
7.2 Do not test capped specimens before the capping mate-
rial has sufficient time to develop the strength required in 5.1.

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